Priyank Kharge wrote, “The model code exists to punish the perpetrators of hate and divisive speeches.”
Bengaluru:
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s son Priyank Kharge has strongly denied the BJP’s allegation of “misuse” and “invoking caste to create disaffection among people” in response to an Election Commission notice. In addition to making his case, there was also a sting in his three-page response – one in which he reminded the commission of its duty to stop hate speech.
The Election Commission had sent a show cause notice to Kharge for making derogatory remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting in Karnataka.
Alleging only his “frustration” on the BJP’s complaint, former Karnataka minister and son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote, “Caste is a reality of India. Only those who come from privileged backgrounds, Like BJP leaders have filed complaints against me, will never understand the inequality and discrimination being done by BJP governments.”
He wrote that his comments were political – “in response to his (PM Modi’s) public speech as a BJP leader, exposing the hollow nature of his increasingly rhetoric”.
“My statements were neither (i) an attack on the personal life of the Prime Minister, (2) a literal translation of the words highlighted by the Hon’ble Commission were not “malicious or derogatory to decency and morality”, nor were they (3) cases but not related to the public life of the Prime Minister.”
He said the model code “exists to punish the perpetrators of hate and divisive speeches, not to expose lies and empty rhetoric”.
“Opposing propaganda is also a protected part of the fundamental right to freedom of expression,” the letter said.
In this context, he again said: “Details of all these cases of hate speech are with the commission yet no action has been taken against the Union Home Minister or the National President of BJP or the Chief Minister of UP…as well as the law In view of the constitutional mandate of equality before them, I am hopeful that the Commission will initiate decisive action against them as well.”
Last week, while addressing an election rally in Karnataka, Priyank Kharge quoted a speech by the Prime Minister.
“When you (PM Modi) came to Gulbarga (Kalaburagi), what did you tell the people of the Banjara community? ‘Don’t be afraid. A Banjara’s son is sitting in Delhi. But if an unworthy son is sitting in Delhi, how can Can you run the family?” He said that.
Enraged, the BJP approached the commission alleging a “smear campaign” against the prime minister.